New Zealand Healthcare

New Zealand’s public healthcare system, which covers a population of five million, provides good quality, free or subsidized healthcare. Since the pandemic, cost increases are creating pressure for the public healthcare system to cover an aging population, keep healthcare professionals from leaving New Zealand for higher salaries elsewhere, and meet consumer expectations for the latest medical treatments. According to Statistica, New Zealand’s healthcare and social assistance industry market size is around NZ$18 billion (approximately US$11 billion) for the year ended March 2023.

Health New Zealand is the newly created operational lead for New Zealand health services. Established in July 2022, the objectives of Health New Zealand include reviewing ways to innovate and improve services including procurement practices. New Zealand’s health targets focus on cancer treatment, childhood immunization, emergency departments, and wait times for first specialist assessments and elective treatment.

Regulatory updates are underway. In May 2024, the New Zealand Government announced it will repeal the Therapeutic Products Act. Until new legislation is passed, the Medicines Act and Dietary Supplement Regionals will continue to apply. However, as both Acts are out of date, the Government will begin a modern, risk proportionate regulatory regime for medicines and medical devices, and a separate modernized regime for natural health products.

Please see our New Zealand Country Commercial Guide for details on market entry.

For more information, please contact: Office.NewZealand@trade.gov.